Another successful milestone on the Road to Literacy in South Africa

The AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign, in partnership with Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA), has reached a new milestone. At a recent celebratory event, we were proud to announce 1,000 beneficiaries as recipients of mobile trolley libraries, each stocked with 500 curriculum aligned books in all 11 official written South African languages.

This marks a significant expansion from the campaign’s inaugural year in 2022, when 180 trolleys were distributed. In 2025 alone, over 500,000 books will be placed directly into the hands of learners, more than doubling last year’s total.

The AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign is designed to transform the educational experience of primary school learners, particularly in under-resourced communities. Each trolley library is mobile, durable, and filled with books that support both reading for enjoyment and foundational numeracy.

Since its launch, the campaign has distributed over 1.3 million books and continues to bridge the gap in access to quality educational resources, ensuring that geography and circumstance do not limit a child’s potential.

Empowering learners through language and learning

Speaking at the event about the importance of reading skills and making books available in a learner’s mother tongue, Karen Simpson, Managing Director of OUPSA, said: “Access to books in a learner’s mother tongue has a profound impact on their ability to grasp foundational concepts, stay engaged in the classroom, and remain in the education system. We are steadfast on publishing our books in all of South Africa’s official written languages, and the AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign enables us to place these resources directly in the hands of the learners who need them most.”

This year’s campaign received 8,661 nominations from across all nine provinces, submitted by educators, caregivers, and community leaders. The initiative continues to grow in reach and impact, evolving into one of the most extensive mobile library programmes in the country. 

Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, said: “This initiative is a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnerships, The campaign addresses a pressing national priority, the development of foundational literacy and numeracy, while supporting policy frameworks aimed at integrating diversity into school curricula. It does so in a way that honours South Africa’s linguistic and cultural richness, ensuring that no child is left behind.”  

A shared vision for the future

At the celebratory event, facilitated by award-winning journalist Bongani Bingwa, a panel discussion explored the socio-economic challenges facing South African learners. Panelists emphasized the importance of mother-tongue instruction and foundational numeracy in delivering inclusive, high-quality education.

Carl van der Riet, CEO of AVBOB Group, said: “Literacy and numeracy are academic skills and critical tools for participation, for opportunity, and dignity, They are the building blocks of future learning and the means by which children are empowered to shape their own lives. The AVBOB Road to Literacy campaign embodies our belief that meaningful social investment must be both practical and purpose driven.”

You can view the full list of 2025 beneficiaries here, and watch the Road to Literacy 2025 wrap-up video on Oxford University Press Southern Africa’s YouTube channel here.